U.S. patent application number 10/439486 was filed with the patent office on 2004-11-18 for surfactant package and water in hydrocarbon emulsion using same.
Invention is credited to Carrasquero, Migdalia, Gutierrez, Xiomara, Marcano, Luis, Rivas, Hercilio.
Application Number | 20040229765 10/439486 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33029814 |
Filed Date | 2004-11-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040229765 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gutierrez, Xiomara ; et
al. |
November 18, 2004 |
Surfactant package and water in hydrocarbon emulsion using same
Abstract
A surfactant package for a water-in-hydrocarbon emulsion
includes a fatty acid component; a fatty acid salt component; an
alcohol component and a salt of carboxylic acid. Emulsions formed
using this surfactant package are stable and have ratios of water
to surfactant of at least about 3.
Inventors: |
Gutierrez, Xiomara;
(Caracas, VE) ; Rivas, Hercilio; (Caracas, VE)
; Carrasquero, Migdalia; (Los Teques, VE) ;
Marcano, Luis; (Los Teques, VE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BACHMAN & LAPOINTE, P.C.
900 CHAPEL STREET
SUITE 1201
NEW HAVEN
CT
06510
US
|
Family ID: |
33029814 |
Appl. No.: |
10/439486 |
Filed: |
May 16, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
510/417 ; 44/301;
44/302; 510/421; 510/499 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C09K 23/00 20220101;
C10L 1/2222 20130101; C10L 1/1881 20130101; C10L 1/1883 20130101;
C10L 1/328 20130101; C10L 1/1824 20130101; C10L 1/2225
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
510/417 ;
044/301; 044/302; 510/421; 510/499 |
International
Class: |
C10L 001/32; C11D
017/00 |
Claims
What is claimed:
1. A surfactant package for a water-in-hydrocarbon emulsion,
comprising: a fatty acid component; a fatty acid and salt
component; an alcohol component; and a salt of carboxylic acid.
2. The surfactant package of claim 1, wherein said fatty acid
component is selected from the group consisting of neat oleic acid,
neat linoleic acid and mixtures thereof.
3. The surfactant package of claim 1, wherein said fatty acid salt
component comprises a salt of a fatty acid and a water soluble
amine.
4. The surfactant package of claim 3, wherein said water soluble
amine is selected from the group consisting of monoethanolamine,
ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, n-propylamine, iso-propyl
amine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, ethylenediamine,
isopropanolamine, 2-amino-2-methyl 1-propanol and mixtures
thereof.
5. The surfactant package of claim 1, wherein said carboxylic acid
is selected from the group consisting of mono-carboxylic acid,
dicarboxylic acid and combinations thereof.
6. The surfactant package of claim 1, wherein said carboxylic acid
comprises C.sub.4-C.sub.12 molecules.
7. The surfactant package of claim 1, wherein said salt of said
carboxylic acid is a salt of an acid selected from the group
consisting of dodecanodioic acid, dodecanoic acid, hexanodioic
acid, hexanoic acid, pentanoic acid, pentanodioic acid, isobutiric
acid, isobutanodioic acid, octanodioic acid, octanoic acid,
nonadioic acid, nonanoioic acid, heptanodioic acid, heptanoic acid,
decanodioic acid, decanoic acid and combinations thereof.
8. The surfactant package of claim 1, wherein said salt of said
carboxylic acid is a salt of water soluble amine and said
carboxylic acid.
9. The surfactant package of claim 8, wherein said water soluble
amine is selected from the group consisting of monoethanolamine,
ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, n-propylamine, iso-propyl
amine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, ethylenediamine,
isopropanolamine, 2-amino-2-methyl 1-propanol and mixtures
thereof.
10. The surfactant package of claim 1, wherein said salt of
carboxylic acid comprises carboxylate ions.
11. The surfactant package of claim 1, wherein said fatty acid
component and said fatty acid salt component are present in a ratio
by volume to said salt of carboxylic acid of between about 3.33 and
about 20.
12. The surfactant package of claim 1, wherein said alcohol
component comprises C.sub.4-C.sub.8 alcohols.
13. A water-in-hydrocarbon emulsion, comprising a water phase; a
hydrocarbon phase; and a surfactant package, wherein said
surfactant package comprises: a fatty acid component; a fatty acid
salt component; an alcohol component; and a salt of carboxylic
acid.
14. The emulsion of claim 13, wherein said fatty acid component is
selected from the group consisting of neat oleic acid, neat
linoleic acid and mixtures thereof.
15. The surfactant package of claim 13, wherein said fatty acid
salt component comprises a salt of a fatty acid and a water soluble
amine.
16. The surfactant package of claim 15, wherein said water soluble
amine is selected from the group consisting of monoethanolamine,
ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, n-propylamine, iso-propyl
amine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, ethylenediamine,
isopropanolamine, 2-amino-2-methyl 1-propanol and mixtures
thereof.
17. The surfactant package of claim 13, wherein said carboxylic
acid is selected from the group consisting of mono-carboxylic acid,
dicarboxylic acid and combinations thereof.
18. The surfactant package of claim 13, wherein said carboxylic
acid comprises C.sub.4-C.sub.12 molecules.
19. The surfactant package of claim 13, wherein said salt of said
carboxylic acid is a salt of water soluble amine and said
carboxylic acid.
20. The surfactant package of claim 19, wherein said water soluble
amine is selected from the group consisting of monoethanolamine,
ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, n-propylamine, iso-propyl
amine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, ethylenediamine,
isopropanolamine, 2-amino-2-methyl 1-propanol and mixtures
thereof.
21. The surfactant package of claim 13, wherein said salt of
carboxylic acid comprises carboxylate ions.
22. The surfactant package of claim 13, wherein said salt of said
carboxylic acid is a salt of an acid selected from the group
consisting of dodecanodioic acid, dodecanoic acid, hexanodioic
acid, hexanoic acid, pentanoic acid, pentanodioic acid, isobutiric
acid, isobutanodioic acid, octanodioic acid, octanoic acid,
nonadioic acid, nonanoioic acid, heptanodioic acid, heptanoic acid,
decanodioic acid, decanoic acid and combinations thereof.
23. The surfactant package of claim 13, wherein said fatty acid
component and said fatty acid salt component are present in a ratio
by volume to said salt of carboxylic acid of between about 3.33 and
about 20.
24. The emulsion of claim 13, wherein said emulsion contains said
water phase in an amount between about 5% vol and about 20% vol
based upon volume of said emulsion.
25. The emulsion of claim 13, wherein said fatty acid component and
said fatty acid salt component are present in an amount between
about 3.0% vol and about 5.5% vol based upon volume of said
emulsion.
26. The emulsion of claim 25, wherein said salt of said carboxylic
acid is present in an amount between about 0.1% vol and about 1.2%
vol based upon volume of said emulsion.
27. The emulsion of claim 26, wherein said emulsion has a ratio by
volume of said water phase to said surfactant package of at least
about 3.0.
28. The emulsion of claim 13, wherein said alcohol component
comprises C.sub.4-C.sub.8 alcohol.
29. The emulsion of claim 13, wherein said hydrocarbon phase is
Diesel fuel.
30. The emulsion of claim 13, wherein said emulsion is a stable
microemulsion.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to a surfactant package and a
water-in-hydrocarbon emulsion using same.
[0002] The incorporation of water into hydrocarbons is useful for
various purposes including the provision of fuels having desirable
properties.
[0003] Attempts to provide water-in-hydrocarbon emulsions have met
with very serious technical and economic problems due to short-term
stability of emulsions formed having droplet sizes in the
macroemulsion range, and further due to the large quantities of
surfactants and cosolvents required to form emulsions having
droplet sizes in the microemulsion range.
[0004] For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,568,354 and 4,568,355 to Davis
et al. are drawn to processes for converting a hazy or potentially
hazy water saturated alcohol-gasoline mixture into a clear stable
gasoline composition having an improved octane rating. The system
so produced has a water content of no more than 1% by volume, and
relatively large volumes of non-ionic surfactant are used to
produce this system.
[0005] Similarly, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,770,670 and 4,744,796 to Hazbun
et al. also disclose the formation of stable microemulsions which
contain large amounts of surfactant as compared to the water
content.
[0006] Other efforts in this area include U.S. Pat. No. 5,104,418,
WO 99/35215, U.S. Pat. No. Re.35,237, U.S. Pat. No. 5,743,922, WO
97/34969, U.S. Pat. No. 5,873,916 and WO 99/13031.
[0007] In spite of the disclosures in the a foregoing patents, the
need remains for a water-in-hydrocarbon emulsion which is stable
and which contains a desirable amount of water without the need for
relatively large amounts of surfactant and/or other stabilizing
agents.
[0008] It is therefore the primary object of the present invention
to provide water-in-hydrocarbon emulsions which are both stable and
formed using relatively small amounts of surfactant.
[0009] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
surfactant package which is useful for providing such
water-in-hydrocarbon emulsions.
[0010] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will
be readily apparent from a consideration of the following.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] In accordance with the present invention, the foregoing
objects and advantages have been readily attained.
[0012] In accordance with the invention, a surfactant package for a
water-in-hydrocarbon emulsion is provided which comprises a fatty
acid component; a fatty acid salt component; an alcohol component
and a salt of carboxylic acid.
[0013] In further accordance with the invention, a
water-in-hydrocarbon emulsion is provided, which comprises a water
phase; a hydrocarbon phase; and a surfactant package, wherein said
surfactant package comprises a fatty acid component; a fatty acid
salt component; an alcohol component and a salt of carboxylic
acid.
[0014] In accordance with the present invention, it is found that
the carboxylic acid salt component added to the surfactant package
allows drastic reduction in the amount of surfactant needed to form
a stable microemulsion as compared to the amount of surfactant
needed without the carboxylic acid salt component.
[0015] The alcohol component is advantageously a C.sub.4-C.sub.8
alcohol.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0016] A detailed description of preferred embodiments of the
present invention follows, with reference to the attached drawings,
wherein:
[0017] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates interfacial tension versus
concentration of individual components of the surfactant package as
well as the combined surfactant package in accordance with the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] The invention relates to a surfactant package and a
water-in-hydrocarbon emulsion using same. The emulsion is stable
and can advantageously be formed using very small amounts of
surfactant. Such an emulsion is useful, for example, as a
combustible fuel, for example for compression ignition engines and
the like. The emulsion has beneficial characteristics as a fuel
including reduced emissions. Emulsions in accordance with the
present invention include stable microemulsions which include a
dispersed water phase and a continuous hydrocarbon phase as well as
an advantageous surfactant package which, as will be discussed
below, includes a combination of components which advantageously
reduce the amount of surfactant needed to form the stable
emulsion.
[0019] Suitable hydrocarbons for use in making emulsions of the
present invention include petroleum hydrocarbons and natural gas
derived products, examples of which include Diesel fuel and other
low gravity hydrocarbons such as Fischer-Tropsch synthetic Diesel
and paraffins C.sub.10 to C.sub.20.
[0020] Emulsions including this hydrocarbon in accordance with the
present invention have reduced NO.sub.x emissions and C emissions,
and improved opacity as compared to the hydrocarbon alone. One
example of a suitable hydrocarbon is a Diesel fuel characterized as
follows:
1 TABLE 1 Sulfur content (% wt/wt) <0.5 Density @ 15.degree. C.
(kg/m.sup.3) <860 Viscosity @ 40.degree. C. (mm.sup.2/s) <4.5
T95 (.degree. C.) <370 Flash point (.degree. C.) >52
[0021] The water phase for use in forming emulsions in accordance
with the present invention can suitably be from any acceptable
water source, and is preferably a water which is available in
sufficient quantities, preferably in close proximity to the
location where emulsions are to be formed, and preferably at an
inexpensive cost. For example, a suitable water phase could be
water such as 310 ppm brine. Of course, any other water from a
suitable source and having various acceptable characteristics for
the end emulsion, such as use as a component of a combustible fuel,
would be acceptable.
[0022] In accordance with the invention, a surfactant package is
provided which advantageously allows for formation of a stable
microemulsion of water-in-hydrocarbon, with surprisingly small
amounts of surfactant.
[0023] According to the invention, the surfactant package
preferably includes a fatty acid component and a fatty acid salt
component, as well as an alcohol component and a salt of a
carboxylic acid.
[0024] The fatty acid and fatty acid salt components may
advantageously be provided as a tallow fatty acid which is
partially neutralized with alkaline compounds such as water soluble
amines. The partial neutralization using water soluble amines
leaves a portion of the initial fatty acid component and the
neutralized component which forms the fatty acid salt component as
desired.
[0025] Suitable tallow fatty acids include blends of
C.sub.16-C.sub.22 molecules, and suitable water soluble amines for
use in partial neutralization of the tallow fatty acids include
monoethanolamine, ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine,
n-propylamine, iso-propylamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine,
ethylenediamine, isopropanolamine, 2-amino-2-methyl 1-propanol and
mixtures thereof.
[0026] Examples of particularly suitable fatty acids from which
components of the surfactant package can be prepared or obtained
include those selected from the group consisting of neat oleic
acid, neat linoleic acid and mixtures thereof.
[0027] While the fatty acid and fatty acid salt components
identified above can be used to obtain a stable microemulsion, it
has advantageously been found in accordance with the present
invention that the amount of surfactant needed can be substantially
reduced through utilization of an additional component, which is
the salt of carboxylic acid as identified above.
[0028] This organic salt can advantageously be formed from
monocarboxylic or dicarboxylic acids preferably having between four
and twelve carbon atoms in the carbon chain (C.sub.4-C.sub.12), for
example those having C.sub.4-C.sub.8 and C.sub.4-C.sub.12
molecules, respectively. This acid is neutralized using water
soluble amine so as to provide the desired carboxylic acid salt for
the surfactant package in accordance with the present invention,
and suitable water soluble amine for use in neutralizing the mono
and dicarboxylic acid includes monoethanolamine, ethylamine,
dithylamine, triethylamine, n-propylamine, iso-propylamine,
diethanolamine, triethanolamine, ethylenediamine, isopropanolamine,
2-amino-2-methyl 1-propanol and mixtures thereof.
[0029] Examples of particularly suitable carboxylic acids include
those selected from the group consisting of dodecanodioic acid,
dodecanoic acid, hexanodioic acid, hexanoic acid, pentanoic acid,
pentanodioic acid, isobutiric acid, isobutanodioic acid,
octanodioic acid, octanoic acid, nonadioic acid, nonaioic acid
heptanodioic acid, heptanoic acid, decanodioic acid, decanoic acid
and combinations thereof.
[0030] This component can be prepared by dissolving the carboxylic
acid into water along with the selected water soluble amine so as
to neutralize the acid and provide the desired carboxylic acid
salt. This water can be the water phase of the emulsion, or a
portion thereof.
[0031] The surfactant package of the present invention is
preferably provided including fatty acid component and fatty acid
salt component combined in an amount between about 3.0 and about
5.5% vol based upon volume of the final emulsion. The water soluble
amine is preferably between about 0.4 and about 1.2% vol based upon
the emulsion.
[0032] The surfactant package in accordance with the present
invention further preferably includes the carboxylic acid salt in
an amount between about 0.1 and about 1.2% vol based upon the final
emulsion.
[0033] In accordance with the present invention, the surfactant
package has been found, advantageously, to allow for
water-in-hydrocarbon emulsions wherein the ratio, by volume, of
water to surfactant package is at least about 3 and,
advantageously, between about 3 and about 4.3.
[0034] This type of surfactant package can advantageously be
utilized to stabilize a microemulsion of water-in-hydrocarbon
wherein the water phase is present in an amount between about 5 and
about 20% vol based upon the final emulsion. It should readily be
appreciated that for a microemulsion containing 20% vol water this
results in a ratio of water to surfactant package which is greater
than about 3, and which is desirable in light of reduction in cost
of surfactant package and reduction in impact of surfactant
component materials upon the final characteristics of the
emulsion.
[0035] Within the surfactant package itself, the fatty acid and
fatty acid salt components are preferably present in a ratio by vol
to the salt of carboxylic acid component of between about 3.33 and
about 20.
[0036] As will be demonstrated in the examples to follow, the
surfactant package in accordance with the present invention
provides substantially improved results as compared to a surfactant
package including only the fatty acid and fatty salt components.
Under these circumstances, the present invention allows for a
reduction in fatty acid required for formation of the microemulsion
by about 55%.
[0037] It is believed that the surfactant package in accordance of
the present invention allows for such a substantial reduction in
acid needed through a synergistic effect between the partially
neutralized fatty acid and the carboxylate ions of the salt of
carboxylic acid.
[0038] FIG. 1 shows interfacial tension as a function of
concentration for a fatty acid (TOFA) and fatty acid salt (salt of
TOFA) mixture, for the carboxylic acid salt alone, and for the
combination which provides a surfactant package in accordance with
the present invention.
[0039] As shown, the carboxylic acid salt component has a
relatively high interfacial tension for the entire range of
concentrations evaluated.
[0040] Also as shown, there is a range of concentration of the
TOFA/salt of TOFA mixture which provides a desirably reduced
interfacial tension.
[0041] It is clear, however, that the combination of these
components provides substantially improved interfacial tension
characteristics, including spontaneous emulsification at very low
concentrations. This is desirable from the standpoint of reduced
cost for surfactant as well as reduced quantities of surfactant
which can affect qualities of the final emulsion product.
[0042] In further accordance with the invention, and as set forth
above, emulsions are prepared including in the surfactant package
and/or emulsion a water soluble and/or partially water soluble
alcohol, specific preferred examples of which include
C.sub.4-C.sub.8 alcohols such as n-butanol, iso-butanol,
ter-butanol, n-pentanol, n-hexanol, 2-ethyl hexanol and
combinations thereof. The alcohol component serves to improve
qualities of the microemulsion as desired. For example, the
additional components identified above can act as cosolvents which
can allow for preparation of a more stable microemulsion.
[0043] In further accordance with the invention, examples of
suitable fatty acids for use as the fatty acid component of the
present surfactant package include neat oleic acid, neat linoleic
acid and mixtures thereof.
[0044] The fatty acid salt component can advantageously be a salt
formed from such fatty acids, preferably using a water soluble
amine such as those identified above. These water soluble amines
can be used to partially neutralize the fatty acid component so as
to provide both the fatty acid component and fatty acid salt
component as desired.
[0045] As set forth in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.
09/565,556, this combination of surfactant components can provide
for a stable microemulsion through provision of surfactant package
components having different HLB values.
[0046] The emulsion and surfactant package for use in forming same
can advantageously be used to provide an alternative fuel which is
advantageously thermodynamically stable over a wide range of
storage and handling conditions, and which is visually transparent.
This emulsion as a fuel also shows great potential for reducing
undesirable exhaust emissions.
[0047] The microemulsion of the present invention can be prepared
using the process as described in co-pending U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/565,556, and/or as described below.
[0048] Suitable supplies of both water phase and hydrocarbon phase
are obtained.
[0049] The process can be started with the formation of a coarse
dispersion of the water and hydrocarbon phases, which is refined
and homogenized by turbulence-length scales of decreasing size
(through mixing mechanisms associated with turbulent diffusion).
The final stage of mixing involves microscale engulfment and
stretching where the ultra low surface tension results in the
formation of a microemulsion. Where no ultra-low interfacial
tension is achieved, the fineness of the dispersion, for a given
surfactant package, depends upon the intensity of the
turbulence.
[0050] In order to form a suitable microemulsion, the water phase,
hydrocarbon phase and surfactant package are preferably combined in
the desired volumes and subjected to a mixing intensity (W/kg)
which can be selected to provide the desired type of emulsion. In
accordance with the invention, to form a microemulsion, it may be
desirable to utilize a mixing intensity of between about 1 W/kg and
about 10,000 W/kg. On an in-line production scale, the mixing
intensity is more preferably between about 100 and about 1000 W/kg.
If production rates are not critical, average mixing intensities
between about 1 W/kg and about 100 W/kg also provide a stable
microemulsion. Mixing according to the invention advantageously
results in a desirable stable microemulsion having an average
droplet size of between about 100 .ANG. and about 700 .ANG..
Emulsions formed according to the invention are advantageously
stable in that the emulsion will retain an average droplet
diameter, when stored under normal ambient conditions, for at least
about 1 year and typically for an indefinite period of time.
[0051] The mixing intensity referred to herein is presented as
average mixing intensity, averaged over the mixing profile of a
vessel. Depending upon the mixing intensity and mixing time used,
different orders of mixing intensity can be encountered within the
mixing vessel. For example, mixing can be accomplished in
accordance with the present invention utilizing a Rushton impulsor
coupled to a Heidolph motor for providing the desired mechanical
energy dissipation rate or mixing intensity. In a typical vessel
mixed with this equipment, while the vessel may be mixed having an
average energy dissipation rate of about 1 W/kg, the mixing
intensity in close proximity to the mixing apparatus can in
actuality be closer to the order of 100 W/kg. Mixing under such
conditions will be referred to herein as mixing at an average
mixing intensity of about 1 W/kg, or in the alternative, as 1-100
W/kg.
[0052] With other equipment, such as a rotor-stator mixer, the
mixing intensity can be made nearly uniform.
[0053] It should also be noted that the mixing intensity as
referred to herein relates to the energy dissipation rate as
measured in power dissipated per unit mass of liquid in the mixer.
The flow is assumed to be turbulent.
[0054] Suitable mixing equipment is readily available to the person
of ordinary skill in the art. Examples of suitable mixing equipment
are set forth above and in the examples to follow.
[0055] It should also be noted that various additional additives
can be incorporated into the emulsion depending upon desired
characteristics and intended use of the final emulsion product.
[0056] The following examples demonstrate the advantageous
formation of stable microemulsions using surfactant packages in
accordance with the present invention, with substantially reduced
amounts of surfactants.
EXAMPLE 1
[0057] The effect of the concentration of tallow fatty acid (TOFA)
on the formation of a water in Diesel microemulsion containing 15%
v/v water is shown in this example. Different surfactant components
and combinations were used to form emulsions, and Table 2 below
sets forth results obtained using various different surfactant
components and packages.
2TABLE 2 Vol % Sample Vol % Vol % Monoethanol Vol % No. Diesel
Surfactant Surfactant amine (MEA) Hexanol Observation 1 69.8 Tallow
fatty 11.0 1.2 2 Base acid (TOFA) microemulsion salt of TOFA 2
(76.5-75.8) Tallow fatty 5.0 (0.5-1.2) 2 Macroemulsion acid water
in oil (TOFA)/amine unstable salt of TOFA 3 (79.6-72) Amine salt of
1.2 (0.5-1.2) 2 Water with dodecanodioic oil are not acid blend 4
(75.3-74.6) Tallow fatty 5/1.2 (0.65-0.75) 2 Microemulsion acid
water in oil (TOFA)/amine salt of TOFA/amine salt of dodecanodioic
acid
[0058] As shown, at least 11% v/v of TOFA alone is required for
obtaining a transparent microemulsion. This example further shows
that the presence of an amine salt of dodecanodioic acid reduced
the concentration of the tallow fatty acid required to produce the
microemulsion to 5% v/v. The amine salt of dodecanodioic acid by
itself was not able to produce the microemulsion.
[0059] Sample No. 1 was prepared using only the tallow fatty
acid/amine salt of tallow fatty acid mixtures, and 11% surfactant
was required in order to form a stable microemulsion.
[0060] Sample 2 was prepared using only 5% of the same surfactant
package as used for Sample No. 1, and an unstable macroemulsion
resulted.
[0061] Sample No. 3 was prepared using 1.2% of amine salt of
dodecanodioic acid, and no emulsion at all was formed.
[0062] Finally, Sample No. 4 was prepared using the 5% of tallow
fatty acid/salt of tallow fatty acid mixture along with 1.2% of
amine salt of dodecanodioic acid. As noted, a stable microemulsion
of water in oil was provided. It should be noted that this in
connection with an emulsion having 15% vol of water. Thus, the
emulsion prepared using Sample No. 4 advantageously has a ratio of
water to tallow fatty acid/amine salt of tallow fatty acid of
3.
[0063] It should also be noted that the results demonstrated above
were obtained including hexanol in an amount of 2% vol as a
EXAMPLE 2
[0064] In this example the amine dodecanodioic salt was used at
different concentrations in the formation of microemulsions
containing 15% v/v of water and 5% v/v of TOFA. Results are shown
in Table 3 below.
3TABLE 3 Vol % Surfactant Vol % Amine Sam- Tallow salt of Vol % Vol
% ple Vol % fatty acid dodecanodioic Monoethanol n- No. Diesel
(TOFA) acid amine (MEA) hexanol Observation 1 (75.3-75.2) 5 1
(0.70-0.80) 2 Microemulsion water in oil 2 (75.5-75.4) 0.8
(0.70-0.80) Microemulsion water in oil 3 (75.65-75.60) 0.6
(0.8-0.9) Microemulsion water in oil stable 4 (75.7-75.6) 0.5
(0.8-0.9) Microemulsion water in oil Stable 5 (75.4-75.2) 0.4
(0.7-0.9) 2.5 Microemulsion water in oil stable
[0065] As shown, even at values of 0.4% v/v of the amine
doddecanodioic salt, microemulsion formation is obtained.
EXAMPLE 3
[0066] This example shows that by keeping the amine dodecanodioic
salt concentration at 0.4% (v/v), a microemulsion containing 15%
(v/v) water can be formed with a TOFA concentration as low as 3.0%
(v/v). Results are shown in Table 4 below.
4TABLE 4 Vol % Vol % amine salt Vol % Sample Vol % surfactant of
dodecanodioic Monoethanol Vol % No. Diesel TOFA acid amine (MEA)
hexanol Observation 1 76.3 4.0 0.4 0.80-0.90 2.5 Microemulsion 2
76.8 3.5 water in oil 3 77.3 3.0
EXAMPLE 4
[0067] This example shows that by keeping the amine dodecanodioic
salt concentration at 0.4% (v/v), a microemulsion containing 15%
(v/v) water can be formed with a TOFA concentration as low as 3.0%
(v/v). Results are shown in Table 5 below.
5TABLE 5 Vol % Surfactant TOFA/amine salt of Vol % Vol % Sample Vol
% hexanodioic Monoethanolamine 2-ethyl- Vol % No. Diesel acid (MEA)
hexanol water Observation 1 (91.5-91.4) 1.5/0.1 0.40-0.50 1.5 5
Microemulsion water in oil 2 (83.1-81.9) 3.0/0.2 0.70-0.90 3 10
Microemulsion water in oil 3 (70.8-70.5) 5/0.3 0.9-1.20 3 20
Microemulsion water in oil
EXAMPLE 5
[0068] This Example shows that the microemulsion from Example 4
(sample 1) can be formed using 2 ethyl-hexanol instead of hexanol.
Results are shown in Table 6 below.
6TABLE 6 Vol % Surfactant tallow Vol % amine salt Vol % Vol % 2-
Sample Vol % fatty acid of dodecanodioic Monoethanol ethyl- No.
Diesel (TOFA) acid amine hexanol Observation 1 (78.5-76.7) 4 0.4
(0.60-0.90) 1.5-3.0 Microemulsion water in oil
EXAMPLE 6
[0069] This example shows that the microemulsion from Example 5
(Sample 1) can be formed using 0.4% (v/v) of amine salts of
different carboxylic acids. Table 7 shows the results obtained.
7TABLE 7 Vol % 2- Sample Vol % ethyl- No. Diesel Surfactant Vol %
Surfactant Vol % MEA hexanol Observation 1 (78.5-76.4) TOFA/amine
4/0.4 (0.6-1.2) 1.5-3.0 Microemulsion salt of hexanodioic Acid 2
(78.5-76.8) TOFA/amine 4.5/0.4 (0.6-0.75) salt of hexanoic acid 3
(78.5-76.7) TOFA/amine 4.5/0.4 (0.6-0.9) salt pentanoic acid 4
(78.5-76.6) TOFA/amine 5/0.4 (0.6-1.0) salt of isobutiric acid 5
(78.5-76.4) TOFA/amine 4/0.4 (0.6-1.2) salt of octanodioic acid 6
(75.7-75.4) TOFA/amine 4/0.4 (0.9-1.2) salt of nonadioic acid
[0070] It should be appreciated that a surfactant package and
water-in-hydrocarbon emulsion including same have been provided
which exhibit advantageous characteristics in terms of stability,
reduced surfactant quantities, and desirable characteristics of the
final product.
[0071] This invention may be embodied in other forms or carried out
in other ways without departing from the spirit or essential
characteristics thereof. The present embodiment is therefore to be
considered as in all respects illustrative and not restrictive, the
scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims, and
all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency
are intended to be embraced therein.
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